Learning to Live Again
Chapter 14
The week had gone by peacefully. Adoption proceedings were ongoing, and a date had been set for a hearing to terminate Jerry's parental rights. Once that was done, the adoption could go on.
Libby had spent every night in Mike's room and had moved her clothes into his master closet. The sex was amazing, but more than that; the conversations and the quiet moments were even better. For the first time in years, Libby was happy. She knew she didn't love Mike and Mike didn't love her yet, but their relationship was on track. For what she didn't know, but it could be good.
She was looking forward to her day out with Tamara. There was shopping and lunch at their favorite sushi place. Mike had given her his debit card and while Libby would not be stupid with his money but didn't have to stress much if she bought a new shirt. However, Tamara had other things in mind.
The first lingerie store was a little racy for both Libby and Tamara, but they found what they both liked at the second store. Tamara selected a black nightie, but Libby had more trouble due to her size. After trying on three different gowns, Tamara found a pale green one that Libby liked.
"It fits as well as it is supposed to." Libby said from the dressing room. Tamara was waiting on her outside of the little cubicle.
"Let me see." Tamara ordered. She pushed the curtain back and wolf whistled.
"Really, Tam? Seriously?" Libby asked.
"You saw me in mine. This is nice. Really nice and sexy. I love that green on you." Tamara said.
"I do kind of like this one. Question is, will Mike?" Libby remarked.
"If he liked you in your flannel pajamas and fluffy robe, he'll love you in that. He is male. Presumably, he's been without any physical affection for years. Its not going to take a lot to tip him over the edge for some time." Tamara said.
"How is it you know so much?" Libby asked.
"Well, once Joey and I broke that ice; after we had Andy; we had a younger sister who loved to babysit her nephew. We got up to a lot during that time. We were making up for all the time where we didn't even sleep in the same bed. Then we had Abby and he was elected Sheriff and things got crazy." Tamara explained. Libby went back into the dressing room and changed back into her clothes.
"I wish I had known. I would have watched the kids more. How long has it been?" Libby asked.
"Abby is almost a year old. Do the math." Tamara supplied.
"Seriously? Why did you never say anything? I've seen how Joey is with you. He adores you." Libby questioned as she walked out of the dressing room.
"Maybe, but right now; in his first term when he's proving himself; the kids and I have to take a backseat. I can only hope it gets better." Tamara said. Libby could tell that it was really bothering Tamara. It made Libby want to box her brother's ears.
"Well, Mike and I can watch the kids whenever. He doesn't mind and Bobby really loves them. You just say the word. There might be a time we need you to watch Bobby." Libby answered.
"I really want him to spend more time with Andy and Abby. Abby cries anytime he tries to hold her, and Joey gets frustrated. Its like stranger danger. He was less than thrilled when I told him I was going to be out today, and he'd have to watch them. He still doesn't know about tomorrow. Not sure how I will handle that. Its almost like he doesn't want to spend time with us." Tamara remarked as they paid for their items and began walking through the mall.
"How about this? I will put Bobby up to asking you if the kids can come play tomorrow at church. Joey won't be able to refuse Bobby. Mike and I take them with us, and you get them when you're ready." Libby suggested.
"The only way it will backfire is if Joey goes into work. I just wish I could shut his damn phone off." Tamara said.
"I can't say that I am that experienced in all this, but shouldn't you just be upfront with Joey? He's never been shown how to be a husband and father. You might need to tell him what you expect of him. How about I buy you a thousand calorie coffee drink?" Libby said as they neared a coffee shop in the mall. They ordered their coffee and sat down to share a brownie.
"I just have to wonder…I shouldn't say anything to you. You are his sister after all." Tamara remarked as she picked at the brownie.
"Just say it." Libby said.
"I have to wonder if he is fooling around. He never leaves his phone around. Even takes it into the bathroom with him." Tamara supplied.
"Who do you think?" Libby asked.
"I have no idea. I guess I thought if I did something to interest him, he might stop it. I don't want to even confront him about it." Tamara explained.
"Hence the losing the weight and the lingerie. It also explains your new haircut." Libby remarked.
"Yeah, exactly. I can't even say for sure that he is cheating. He might just be busy. Listen, this shouldn't be your problem. You are just newly married and he's your brother. You and he have been a team forever." Tamara said. Libby reached over and squeezed her hand.
"And you've been a part of that team since I was fifteen. Twenty years. Whatever the circumstances behind your marriage to begin with, you built something. You handle Joey however you see fit and I will keep the kids. I will say, just remember; Joey has never had a decent example and I think if he didn't have you and the kids, he would be a mess. Its been you that has given us both stability and a home. I will stay out of it other than babysitting the kids, but if needed I will box his ears and tell him to get with it." Libby said.
"Thank you. We had better get home. This has been nice though. We should do it more often." Tamara said as they stood up with their bags and coffees.
"Definitely." Libby agreed. They walked to her car and began the drive home. She would drop Tamara off and then head to her new home. It felt odd to not be as close to Joey, Tamara and the kids, but she also loved her new home. Once they arrived, Libby walked in to give her niece and nephew a kiss and to get a read off her brother.
"Thank God, Tam. I need to go to work to finish paperwork. We're doing a search warrant tonight, so I won't be home all night probably." Joey said as he handed a very upset Abby to Tamara. Libby noticed the look on her sister-in-law's face and decided to step in.
"Be careful. I love you." Tamara said. She tried to lean forward to give Joey a kiss, but he turned around.
"Hey; Joey. Mike and I are wanting a little baby time before we decide to expand our family beyond Bobby. He's had kids but I haven't. So, tomorrow after church; we are taking Andy and Abby. I suggest you be home. Tamara went out of her way to buy something you'd enjoy, if you are still interested. You might try to remember you have a wife and two kids at home that love and need you. I don't know what's out there, but it isn't this. You won't ever find this again. Don't screw it away." Libby pleaded. Joey was at the front door but left before he said a word. At least he paused and listened.
"See? He just doesn't care anymore. He didn't even respond when I said I loved him." Tamara said.
"Just keep loving him. I don't know what else to say. I didn't mean to out you." Libby said.
"Its alright. You have more courage then me. He listens to you too. You might have gotten through, even though he left. I just hope he concentrates on his job tonight. Thanks for the day out, anyways. Enjoy that attentive husband." Tamara teased.
"I will but call if you need anything. Seriously, anything. Mike understands." Libby told her before giving her a kiss on the cheek and then giving Abby a kiss. "And remember, he loves you and them. He listened, didn't he?" Libby asked before she walked out. She could only pray that her brother and sister-in-law could work things out. She didn't have the energy to try to fix their marriage while her own marriage was still so new.
Libby drove home and walked in in time for dinner. She was looking forward to Bobby going to sleep but ended up cuddling on the couch with him and Mike. Finally, about ten, Mike carried Bobby into bed and tucked him in. While he was taking care of Bobby, Libby locked up, took a fast shower and put the pale green nightie on. As soon as Mike walked into their bedroom, he smiled.
"That is really nice. I love this color on you." Mike said before giving Libby a long kiss. As they kissed, she began unbuttoning his shirt. It was tossed away from them, and she helped him pull his t-shirt off. They were still kissing and moving toward the bed when Libby's cellphone rang.
"What in the world? It never rings this late." Libby said as she picked it up off the nightstand. The ID displayed Tamara's name. "I'd better answer. Joey was doing a search warrant tonight and Tamara would never call so late. I'm sorry." Libby apologized and Mike nodded before she answered.
"Hey, is everything okay?" Libby asked and immediately realized Tamara was crying.
"No. Joey's sergeant just called. He was stabbed. The knife went in under the vest. They think it hit an artery and he was life-flighted to the hospital. The sergeant is sending his wife over to watch the kids. He isn't sure Joey would make it to the hospital." Tamara said. Libby had left her phone on speaker. Mike grabbed some clothes for Libby to put on and was throwing his own clothes back on.
"Alright, we'll be at your house in just a bit. Don't try to drive yourself. I know you want to be at the hospital sooner, but don't chance it." Libby said and Mike nodded again.
"But what about Bobby?" Tamara asked. They couldn't leave him with the sergeant's wife.
"I'll handle Bobby. You just get ready to go." Mike said before leaving the room to wake Bobby up.
"We'll be there soon. Just hang in there." Tamara said before hanging up. She threw the clothes on that Mike had found and met Mike in the hallway. He was carrying Bobby again and the little boy was very groggy looking.
"I am not even going to try and change him out of his pajamas, but could you grab that bag. It's got an outfit and shoes in it." Mike said. Libby grabbed the bag, her purse, cellphone and keys. They were out the door quickly and Mike secured Bobby and then took Libby's keys.
"I can drive." Libby said.
"You can, but you are just as upset as Tamara. I'll drive." Mike said as they got in the car and began the drive. As soon as they pulled in, Tamara was in the backseat.
"He made it to the hospital. They've stabilized him and he's in surgery. They said that he's lost a lot of blood, but his vitals are okay." Tamara explained. Her voice was still tear filled, but she was thinking clearly.
"He's tough. Just hang in there." Libby said as she leaned back and squeezed Tamara's knee.
"He called and we argued. It was bad. Really bad. He must have been distracted." Tamara supplied.
"Tam, don't think about that now. Let's just get there. Everything else can be fixed and dealt with." Libby said. Mike gave her a nod. She wasn't sure what speed he was going, but it was fast.
"Tamara, if you don't care; could you put Bobby's shoes on for him? They're in the bag." Mike asked. He was trying to take her mind off Joey and Tamara complied. Bobby grumbled but helped Tamara.
In no time, they were at the hospital and a deputy escorted them to a private waiting room. It seemed to take forever, but a surgeon finally walked in and sat down across from Tamara and Libby.
"First of all, he is alright. He lost a lot of blood, his spleen and has a lacerated liver. He is conscious and alert, but in incredible pain. He has asked for you. As soon as he has seen you, I am going to sedate him. The next twenty-four hours are critical." The surgeon explained and Tamara nodded in understanding.
"Can I stay with him after he's gone to sleep?" Tamara asked.
"Yes. He is not in ICU, but we are monitoring him closely." The surgeon answered as they stood up.
"Bobby and I will stay here. You girls go on." Mike told them. Bobby had cuddled into his side and was almost asleep again. Tamara and Libby followed a nurse into a hospital room. Joey was on the bed, with all kinds of wires and monitors hooked up. At first, Libby thought he had fallen asleep until they touched his hands.
"Hey…oh!" Joey said in obvious pain.
"Joey, just rest. We're here. Tamara isn't going anywhere. Mike and I will help with the kids." Libby said.
"That's right. I'm not going anywhere. You won't be rid of me so easy." Tamara said before leaning over and kissing Joey's temple.
"I'm…sorry about what I said. I shouldn't have…I love you so much." Joey said.
"I love you too. The nurse is wanting to give you a shot to help you sleep. Let's let her." Tamara said. She gave Joey a kiss and then gestured at the nurse. Within just a few moments, Joey was sound asleep.
"What was the fight about, if I can ask?" Libby asked.
"He…confirmed that he had been cheating. I don't even know who. It all got out of hand." Tamara said.
"I can't speak from experience but prove to him that you are here and that you will take care of him. That you love him. Whoever this other person is, won't give him that. Now, how about Mike and I go home and rescue the sergeant's wife. We'll stay at your house and come up with a game plan tomorrow. By then, Joey will be better, and you can think more clearly. Unless, of course; you want me to stay?" Libby asked.
"I do, but I understand. Its for the best." Tamara said. She hadn't let go of Joey's hand and was playing with his wedding band.
"Alright. Tamara, just focus on Joey. Not the other stuff. You are his wife. Its all up to you." Libby said before kissing Joey's forehead. She went around the bed and gave Tamara a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you. Love you." Tamara said.
"Love you too." Libby answered. It had been an exhausting day but hopefully Joey would get better and he and Tamara could repair their marriage while Mike and Libby built their marriage.
